Lasagna

A year or so ago, Ryan's mom, Gayle, gave us a simple lasagna recipe.  We liked it so much that we use it as a foundation any time we make lasagna.  We usually end up adding or altering ingredients.  The following recipe is one of our alterations. 

Lasagna

• 1 lb Ground Beef, Turkey, Pork, or Sausage
• Garlic, Sea Salt, and Pepper, to taste
• 1/2 Small Onion
• 1 Jar Prego Sauce (preferably the Roasted Red Pepper variety)
• 2 Shots Scotch, Whiskey, or Bourbon
• 2/3 Red Pepper
• 15 Whole Wheat Lasagna noodles
• 24 oz Cottage Cheese
• 2 c Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/2 to 1 c Parmesan Cheese

Brown ground meat in a large skillet.  Season with garlic, sea salt, and pepper to taste.  Add onion when almost fully cooked.  After meat is fully cooked, add Prego, liquor, and red pepper.  Simmer for 5 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9"x13" pan with cooking spray.  Spoon some of the meat mixture into the pan.  Add three layers of noodles, cottage cheese, meat mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese (in that order).  Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a fork can easily pierce through noodles.  Top with more Parmesan Cheese, if desired.  Cool for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Christmas Eve Food

I started this on Christmas Eve, but never got around to posting it:


A verse by my sister-in-law (Sarah Jean Mealiff Coughlan), sang to the tune of White Christmas:  "who's dreaming of a white christmas, when it's impossible to go? 'cuz the airports closing and cars are slowing and everything's covered up in snow!"

For christmas, my family (parents, brother, sister-in-law) and I had plans to drive down to Oklahoma to visit Grandpa, but due to the weather we were stranded in Derby.  My sister and her husband (Lily and Marc) were also flying into OKC for christmas.  They got stuck in San Diego.  Since there was nothing else to do, Dad and I decided to make some chili and no bake cookies.  Mom, Richard (brother) and Sarah Jean took naps while we were slaving away in the kitchen.  So here's some recipes for you guys:

No Bake Cookies:

• 1-3/4 c white sugar
• 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c butter
• 4 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 c crunchy peanut butter
• 3 c old fashioned oats
• 1 t vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder.  Heat to boiling stirring constantly; then cook for 1 1/2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Immediately add peanut butter to saucepan so it will melt.  Stir until melted.  Add vanilla.  Then add oats one cup at a time.  Spoon onto wax paper.  Place in garage to set up.  :)

Chili:

• 2 or 3 dried Ancho Peppers
• 2 or 3 dried California Peppers 
• 6 or 7 dried Japones Peppers
• 1/4 c plus 2 T olive oil
• 3 pounds beef
• 1 pound sausage
• 1 large white onion
• 5 large cloves of garlic
• 2 T chili powder
• 2 cans peeled/diced tomatoes (preferably Italian or garlic oregano) 
• 1/4 c burbon (we used Maker's Mark)
• 26.5oz can of black beans
• 6oz can of tomato paste
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Soak peppers in water.  While peppers are soaking, chop onion and garlic.  Continue to soak peppers.  In a large saucepan brown beef in 1/4 c olive oil.  Remove cooked beef.  In the same pan, cook sausage and onion in garlic, chili powder, and 2 T olive oil.  Chop peppers as sausage and onions cook.  Add cooked beef, canned tomatoes, peppers, and burbon to pan. Cook on low for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, covered.  Stir occasionally.  Add black beans, tomato paste, and salt and pepper.  Cook until heated throughout (about 10 minutes).  Dish into bowls.  Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, crackers, etc.